Antibiotics as a Cure for Stomach
Ulcer
by Groshan Fabiola
Stomach ulcer refers to open lesions and ulcerations at
the level of the stomach. Statistics indicate that more than two percent
of the people in the United States are diagnosed with stomach ulcer each
year and it is estimated that around eight to ten percent of these people
are at risk of developing various other forms of ulcer over the years. In
the United States there are approximately half a million annual cases of
stomach ulcer. The disorder has the highest incidence in the male gender,
and it predominantly affects people with ages over 50.
Stomach ulcer is considered to be a serious disorder. In the absence of
medical treatment, stomach ulcer can lead to complications such as stomach
perforation and internal bleeding. There are many forms of treatment for
stomach ulcer in present. However, the problem with most medications is
that they only provide temporary symptomatic relief, allowing the disorder
to reoccur soon after completing the prescribed medical treatment.
Stomach ulcer is a digestive disorder that occurs due to physiological
abnormalities (poor stomach production of bicarbonate, poor integrity of
the stomach’s mucosal protective cover, inappropriate mucosal blood flow,
overproduction of pepsin and gastric acid) and infection with bacteria
called Helicobacter pylori. Although these bacteria are known to be a
major cause of stomach ulcer, most doctors neglect this aspect and only
prescribe medications for normalizing the stomach’s production of
digestive fluids. Although antacids and other medications commonly used in
the treatment for stomach ulcer can keep the disorder under control, they
can’t overcome the ulcer completely. Unless the treatment with antacids is
followed on a regular basis, the symptoms of stomach ulcer are very likely
to reoccur.
One of the most common medications used in the treatment for stomach
ulcer is Tagamet. This ulcer drug acts by reducing the levels of gastric
acid and pepsin inside the stomach. The problem with Tagamet and other
antacids is that they only provide short-term effects. Most people
affected by stomach ulcer experience a relapse of the disorder soon after
interrupting the treatment with Tagamet.
Since the underlying cause of stomach ulcer is infection with
Helicobacter pylori, people with the disorder should also receive a
medical treatment with antibiotics. Research results indicate that people
with stomach ulcer who have been prescribed a course of antibiotics such
as amoxicillin or penicillin have experienced a considerable amelioration
of their ulcer. In addition, most people with stomach ulcer who have
followed treatments with antibiotics have been permanently cured. Unlike
antacids, antibiotics can provide long-term effects for people affected by
stomach ulcer, thus minimizing the chances of relapse.
A two-week course of amoxicillin is usually sufficient for overcoming
the infection with Helicobacter pylori. Corroborated with antacids,
antibiotic treatments can successfully cure stomach ulcers, minimizing the
chances of relapse.
